Hiking / Photographic Road Trip in Rodopi

Hiking / Photographic Road Trip in Rodopi

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  • ExperienceBeginner
  • LocationRodopi Nestos
  • Duration3 days
  • Opening SeasonJune
  • Spoken LanguagesGreek English
Description
Hiking / Photographic Road Trip in Rodopi
19-21 June

Trekking in the fence forest - Nestos!

The National Park of the Rhodope Mountains includes the only Virgin Forest of Greece, one of the most important of its kind in Europe with great biodiversity, since here you can find all the vegetation zones of Europe. It is a unique natural monument, with tall evergreen and deciduous trees, conifers and broadleaves, such as beech, birch, forest pine (red pine), black pine and spruce, a rare species in Greece found only in the Rhodopes and other species. . Particularly intense in the area is the water element with various formations, among them the magnificent meanders of the river Nestos, which when viewed from above give a unique spectacle. The area of ​​the Virgin Forest provides shelter to a large number of animals, such as the brown bear, the wild goat, the capercaillie, the capercaillie, the wolf, the roe deer, the wild boar, the wildcat, the squirrel, etc. The three-day photo road trip aims to photograph the wider area of ​​the National Park.
 
  • Do not forget
    • Waterproof
    • Small backpack for your personal belongings
    • Water
    • Hiking Shoes
    • Snack
  • What is included
    • Accompanying photographer
    • 2 nights in a hotel with breakfast
    • Small meal for Saturday excursion
  • What is not included
    • Everything is not written
    • Other meals
Saturday 19 June
• 16:00: Departure from Thessaloniki.
(For those who come directly, the meeting is at 19.30 in Paranesti).
Arranging in the rooms, checking and preparing our equipment and information about the program of the trip.
• 20:30: Dinner at the old train station.

Sunday, June 20
• 07:00: Breakfast at the hotel
• 08:00: Departure for the Fence Forest
The aim of the day is to spend several hours photographing the rich flora and the wonderful landscapes of the forest. From Paranesti we will head north in the direction of Frakto. The route through the forest soon shows us how beautiful the environment we are going to photograph is. Our first stop is the dam of the Platanovrisi Hydroelectric Station. The artificial lake creates an idyllic landscape, with reflections of tall trees in the calm waters - the photographic result is often impressive! From there, we will follow upside down Diavolorema, one of the largest streams that feed the lake. After about 25 kilometers we will meet in front of us Thermia, a "favela" with makeshift shacks which hide a natural treasure - the thermal baths of the area.

From this point, we follow a dirt road through the dense forest, stopping regularly to photograph first the oak forest and then the majestic black pine trees that frame the road.
Arriving at the forest outpost, we make a stop for relaxation against the backdrop of the wonderful landscape. Here we can drink an "outdoor" coffee and prepare our equipment for the short hike that will follow. A gentle path will lead us to the three waterfalls of Achladorema, through the beautiful pine and birch forest. Returning we will eat the picnic that we will have taken care to bring with us, before we take the road back to Paranesti.
On the way back, whoever wants to relax, can take a bath in Thermia!
• 17:00: Return to Paranesti.
Our day will end with a photo on the banks of the river Nestos, before we return to our hotel for rest and food in one of the taverns of the village.

Monday 21 June
• 07:30: Breakfast
• 08:30: Check-out
A unique spectacle will compensate us for waking up on Sunday morning - the meanders of the Nestos River from above! Following the provincial road to Xanthi, parallel to the river, we will reach Stavroupoli and from there we will head to the observatory located at Thea, at an altitude of 891 meters between Toxotes and Imera. In front of us lies Nestos in all its glory, surrounded by dense forest. The view of the meanders is captivating!
Before continuing our walk to get to know Nestos more closely, we will visit the ruined villages of Kromniko and Livera, where there is a possibility to meet and photograph herds of horses.

Next stop, the straits of Nestos, an area of ​​special natural beauty. We leave our car in Galani and start a beautiful hiking trail by the river that will allow us to photograph the waters, the banks and the islands of Nestos up close, moving and next to the old train tracks with the picturesque stone tunnels. On the way back, we will relax on the beach near the parking lot - the brave can take a dip in the icy waters or enjoy flying fox over the river!

Our last stop is one of the taverns in the area, to deliciously close a weekend full of nature and images!

Canon Photographer: Babis Giritziotis.
 
Mileage distances:
Athens - Paranesti: 682 km
Thessaloniki - Paranesti: 182 km
Contact us if you do not have a means of transportation.

Indicative Photographic Equipment
Optionally
• DSLR or mirrorless camera.
• At least one 24mm photographic lens.
• A light tripod.
• At least 2 extra batteries.
• Memory cards (at least one 16GB).

Useful Equipment
For our short hiking trips, we recommend having a pair of comfortable hiking boots with you.

Meeting point is in Thessaloniki. (exact meeting time & point will be arranged with your guide)

Previous experience
All you need is fully functional photographic equipment and good mood!

Cancellation policy
1. For cancellations up to 30 days before the activity, there is the right to a refund of 100% of the money, deducting the cost of banking transactions for booking and refund.
2. For cancellations in the period from 30 to 7 days before the activity, there is a right to a refund of 50% of the participation cost less the cost of banking transactions for booking and refunds.
3. For cancellations less than 7 days before the date there is no refund right, and all the cost of the trip is withheld.
4. The excursion will take place only if the minimum number of persons is reached (7). In case the minimum number of participants is not completed, the date will be changed and will be announced in the future.
5. In case of cancellation by the organizers due to non-completion of the required number of people, the full amount will be refunded.

Conditions for participation in the excursion
The participant assumes full responsibility to judge whether he / she can participate in the excursion without compromising his / her health, as well as to ensure that he / she will not endanger his / her physical integrity or that of the other participants. Recognizes and accepts that the weather phenomena in the mountain are changeable and unpredictable, for this reason the organizer is not responsible for cancellation of the trip or change of design for this reason. Also in case the participant is in danger of either injury, loss of body part, or life itself, the responsibility of the organizer is limited to the correct preparation and correct decision / choice / change of design, and the provision of instructions to ensure as much as possible physical integrity and mental and spiritual health of the participants.
The participant is responsible and accountable for the honest statement of his state of health
 
Incuded:
• Photographic training and guidance by Canon Photographer Babis Giritziotis. Throughout the trip we will have the opportunity to try out techniques and get useful tips for nature photography and the proper use of equipment.
• Two nights in a hotel with breakfast (in double rooms, single charge: 35 euros).
• Small lunch for Saturday excursion.
 
Photos & Videos
Meeting Point
Paranesti or Thessaloniki
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